Police officers cleared in bizarre Port Alberni drowning

B.C.'spolice watchdog has cleared RCMP officers of wrongdoing aftera bizarre drowning case in Port Alberni.

The officersresponded to a reportof an unclothed man who was covered in blood and attempting to clean off at a car wash on Nov. 28, according to the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. (IIO).

When the officers arrived, the man fled on foot and jumped into a nearby river.

"Two officers, one after the other, without regard for their own safety, entered the frigid water in attempts to save the male, who ignored officers and moved further out from shore. Both officers had to return to shore due to the impact of the cold water on their bodies," said the statementfrom the IIO, released Monday.

The man's body was recovered an hour later by search and rescue personnel with cold water equipment.

The IIOsaidthe officers' efforts were an attempt to save the man's life and there is no evidence to indicate their actionswere responsible for thedeath.

The IIO is the independent civilian oversight agency of the police in B.C. It investigates all officer-related incidents that result in serious harm or death, whether or not there is any allegation of wrongdoing.